Tambuling Batangas Publication February 06-12, 2019 Issue

BALITA February 6-12, 2019 Batangas Capitol, Panhua Group ng China Nagpulong Tungkol sa Pamumuhunan sa Lalawigan BUMIYAHE patungong China si Batangas Governor Dodo Mandanas upang personal na pangunahan ang serye ng mga pakikipagpulong sa ilang Chinese companies na nagpahayag ng matibay na interes na mamuhunan sa Lalawigan ng Batangas noong huling linggo ng Enero 2019. Dala ang Authority to Negotiate mula sa Sangguniang Panlalawigan ng Batangas, hinarap ng grupo ng mga Batangueno ang mga negosyanteng Tsino, partikular ang mga kinatawan ng Panhua Group Co, Ltd, na isa sa pinakamalaking steel Pagkain... HAY ¬JHAY B. PASCUA/Batangas PIO Capitol BOC, PDEA strengthen partnership against drug smuggling MANILA -- The Bureau of Customs (BOC) and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) signed a new Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to intensify security measures and prevent the entry of illegal drugs and controlled precursors and essential chemicals (CPECs) into the country. BOC Commissioner Rey Leonardo B. Guerrero and PDEA Director General Aaron N. Aquino signed the MOA to collaborate on operational matters, programs to be implemented, and the formulation of strategies to meet its objectives. “We are bound as allies by our pledge of service and driven by our determination to secure our nation and our people from the threats and effects of illegal drugs. We affirm today our commitment to a common objective and our intent to activate mutually beneficial programs of action. Let us learn from the events of the past and ensure that those lessons are put to good use.” Guerrero said. For his part, PDEA Director General Aquino stated that “under the agreement, PDEA and BOC agree to observe utmost transparency to fulfill the conditions stated in the MOA, to create a drug interdiction Task Group to promote a closer working relationship between the parties, and exchange best practices and knowledge concerning smuggling, importation, transportation, and transshipment of dangerous drugs through seminars and workshops.” The MOA signing was held on January 31, 2019, at the PDEA Activity Area, PDEA National Headquarters in Quezon City. BOC and PDEA key personnel witnessed the signing. The present MOA is an amendment to the previous agreement between PDEA and BOC signed on September 10, 2010. The new agreement states that PDEA shall take charge and have custody of seized and/ or surrendered illegal drugs, and CPECs seized in BOC’s anti-illegal drug operations, and take the lead role in the conduct of anti-drug operations and investigation. Among the general provisions stated in the new agreement is that members of the BOC Customs Anti-Illegal Drug Task Force (CAIDTF) shall be selected and under the direct control and supervision of the BOC Commissioner. However, the PDEA Director General may recommend the removal/ replacement of any member for just causes, and after observance of due process. The BOC Commissioner has operational control of the BOC CAIDTF, while the operational supervision is shared by the BOC Commissioner and PDEA Director General. PDEA shall deputize selected members of the BOC CAIDTF in the conduct of anti- illegal drug operations. Still under the MOA, PDEA is committed to establish a comprehensive information collection plan to obtain information on illegal drug activities from sources at all levels, and provide a database system to serve as repository of the same. Also, PDEA shall provide the BOC with any intelligence information regarding all shipments suspected to contain illegal drugs and CPECs. “Another key area of collaboration and coordination between PDEA and BOC has been to ensure that all air parcels, baggage and shipments arriving through NAIA warehouses are cleared of illegal substances and unauthorized import of other controlled chemicals.” Guerrero said. “The MOA also deputizes PDEA personnel to join the BOC in enforcement inspections of all shipments and cargoes pursuant to the country’s customs laws,” Aquino said. Aside from sharing and assisting in the gathering of intelligence information and investigation of suspected drug smuggling activities, BOC pledged to provide access to authorized members of PDEA during the conduct of physical examination on shipment with derogatory information, and random inspection of cargoes of pure CPECs covered with PDEA permit. The BOC also agree to promptly turn-over to PDEA any person apprehended for violation of the anti-drug law, and confiscated dangerous drugs, CPECs, and laboratory equipment, after a proper inventory has been conducted. It is noted that the BOC and PDEA’s recent joint operations led to the seizure of 12 million pesos worth of Methamphetamine Hydrochloride or Shabu last January 22 in Clark. Prior to that, on the 15th of January, BoC-Clark also turned over various seized illegal substances, namely, 20.136 kgs shabu worth P136.9-M; 200 pcs of esctasy worth P340,000 and 3.165 kgs kush (high grade marijuana) worth P3.798-M. (BOC) Binigyang-diin din niya ang pag-ibayo ng pagpaplano para mapaunlad pa ang kaalaman sa environmental at coastal management, particular ng Matabungkay Beach sa Lian, at ang pagkakaroon ng hiwalay na departamento para sa mga Overseas Filipino Workers upang mas matugunan ang mga pangangailangan ng mga ito Tawilis... Resources (BFAR) IVA upang gawing Tawilis conservation areas ang mga fishing grounds na sakop ng Cuenca, San Nicolas, at Balete. Sinang-ayunan naman ng mga opisyal na ang ulat ng IUCN na banta sa tawilis ang overfishing, polusiyon, at kompetisyon mula sa mga invasive species. Binigyang-diin din ang wastong implementasyon ng mga batas na sumasaklaw sa lawa, ang patuloy na monitoring ng populasyon ng Tawilis, at Pagkalat... ng Lipa at Munisipalidad ng Sto. Tomas. Sa pakikipag-ugnayan sa Provincial Health Office, wala pa namang naitalang namatay sa nakakahawang sakit sa Lalawigan. Ang tigdas o measles ang isa sa mga pangunahing sanhi manufacturing company sa nasabing bansa. Kabilang ang lalawigan sa mga pinag- aaralan ng kompanyang Panhua na pagtayuan ng rolling mills at cold storage facilities sa Pilipinas. Patuloy ang seryosong pakikipag- ugnayan ng Pamahalaang Panlalawigan sa mga investors upang makapagbukas ng mga negosyo at pagawaan sa Batangas Province, na magdadala ng mas maraming trabaho para sa mga Batangueño. ✎ JHAY ¬JHAY B. PASCUA/Batangas PIO Capitol mula sa pahina 1 sa kalusugan, hanapbuhay at problemang legal. Suportado din ng Ilocos Norte Governor ang isinusulong na People’s Initiative, na pinangungunahan ni Batangas Gov. Dodo Mandanas, na mas magpapalakas at magpapatibay sa lokal na awtonomiya. ✎ Mark Jonathan M. Macaraig – Batangas Capitol PIO mula sa pahina 1 monitoring ng kalidad ng tubig. Nabanggit din ng DENR ang patuloy na pakikipag- ugnayan nito sa Pamahalaang Panlalawigan, sa pangunguna ni Governor Dodo Mandanas, upang muling buhayin ang Task Force Taal Lake upang makatulong sa pagpapatupad ng mga isinusulong na panukala upang mapangalagaan ang likas na yaman sa palibot ng Lawa ng Taal. ✐Shelly Umali – Batangas Capitol PIO mula sa pahina 1 ng pagkamatay ng mga bata. Ang regular na pagbabakuna, gamit ang estratehiyang “Reaching Every Purok”, ay nagsilbing core activity sa buong lalawigan upang maiwasan ang pagkalat ng sakit. ✎ Mark Jonathan M. Macaraig – Batangas Capitol PIO

Tambuling Batangas Publication February 06-12, 2019 Issue | Page 2